The video for Defense of Moscow was posted on YouTube on May 10, but fans of the Swedish metal band Sabaton were able to appreciate the song a few days earlier.
Many of them already knew that the real author of the track was Russian rock musician Oleg Abramov (RADIO TAPOK).
For more than four years now, he has been uploading Russian-language versions of songs by world-famous rock artists on a video service, proving that the language of music is absolutely universal.
The musician's arsenal includes translations of hits from Rammstein, Bon Jovi, Queen, Metallica, Nirvana, etc. Abramov also collaborates with other musicians (Evgeny Egorov, Dmitry Koldun) and, as part of the #EziRok challenge, publishes songs of his own composition in the style of famous bands.
One of these was "Battle for Moscow", written in the style of Sabaton.
Abramov repeatedly made Russian-language versions of the songs of the Swedish group, among them Bismarck and To Hell and Back.
The Sabaton musicians were delighted with the work of the Russian musician and even met with him in person.
As Abramov himself later said, he let the Swedes listen to the theme of the Battle of Moscow just during this meeting - even then Sabaton liked the idea.
As a result, Defense of Moscow was released in May 2021, giving the Russians a gift for the Victory anniversary.
To the original track, the Swedes added a guitar solo to the tune of the Soviet (aka Russian, only the text has changed) anthem.
Abramov, on the other hand, used part of the melody of the anthem only in the introduction (which was also preserved in the Sabaton version), and in the middle of the track the voice of the legendary Yuri Levitan sounds, reading out a message about the Soviet counteroffensive near Moscow in the winter of 1941.
It is worth noting that military-themed songs are not uncommon for Sabaton.
Moreover, among them there is a track about Russian pilots from the Second World War, known as "Night Witches".
Abramov also translated it for Russian-speaking listeners.
To date, the Defense of Moscow video has more than 2 million views; it has been in the top three music trends of Russian YouTube for several days.
That is why the comments under the video are mainly from Russian-speaking users, who thank the group for respecting Russian history and appreciating the work of the Russian musician.
Some even suggested that the group be awarded the Order of Friendship from the Russian Ministry of Culture.
Many joked that now Tapok is doing cover versions of songs that have not even been released yet.
The fans of Swedish metalheads from all over the world also express their admiration.
"Why does each of their songs make me feel like a patriot of a country I wasn't even born in?"
- writes one of them.
“The Soviet anthem makes this song just perfect,” notes another.
"When will there be new history lessons from these class teachers?"
The third asks.
The track was also praised by the English-speaking music reviewers YouTube.
“I think I've become Russian,” said one of them, noting that the song made him cry.
Abramov himself, commenting on his song performed by Sabaton, said that he did not even think that this was possible.
“The prank was a success,” he summed up.